TSA changes rules for who must go through body scanner

At this time, I'm less concerned about weapons than explosive materials. Seems to me that trained dogs would be a better solution. Cockpit doors are secured now, and I haven't been on a flight in the last 10 years that hasn't been jam packed.

Lonely travelers can still get the full pat-down on request, even if they are subject to mandatory scanning.

TSA: Yet another Bullshit Gov't entity chock full of corruption and a bloated budget.

Not all airports have body scanners so it a lost cause. Going through France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand standard walk through scanners and wands.

I like the idea of on the spot profiling suggested by rmchambers. Certainly a greater chance that a human could detect unusual behavior than a techno screen.

It is all security theatre. When I fly on the airlines, I just smile and say thanks for the job security, as I am a corporate pilot and the folks I fly around have decided long ago to not put up with the BS. I wish they had more dogs working for the TSA and Customs and less idiots.

It's all security theater. The TSA has caught zero terrorists, they've caught a few people smuggling some weed, they've also caught MANY of their own agents stealing travelers goods and property. Was it not for a federal boondoggle these people would be trying to get $15/hour working at McDonalds.

The chances of another 9/11 are slim, people won't sit still and comply anymore as evidenced by the last two times someone got up in front of the plane. One was dogpiled and wound up dying due to asphyxiation and the other got tuned up and when he became conscious he was ziptied to his seat. There have probably been many more but the point is people will NOT comply with someone who is going to send them all to a fiery grave.

The TSA PRE thing is a joke, people are much better off going through standard metal detectors, and if they hired some actual behavioral specialists who could randomly pick people out and run them through a few questions to judge responses (like El Al does) it would more likely catch anything that needed to be. Going through the rape-scanners which are inherently buggy and can be fooled (look at the kid who made clothing that could conceal metal objects as long as it was held away from the body) so it's not real security it's a show.

I avoid flying commercially unless it's absolutely unavoidable, it's no fun anymore.

I work for TSA and I can't disclose any specifics but I can say that as of today very little has changed in regard to the opt outs. CNN totally is making it seem like it was a 180 degree change. It is not. It only affects certain people in specific situations.

This 'procedure' is just more of the same 'eye candy' for the uneducated traveler...this has been the case since day one - spending billions of dollars to make the public feel better about how well they are protected....meanwhile the TSA flunks test after test of agents who allow all sorts of people and dangerous items through....because in our "PC" world, they refuse to employ the tactics of the Israelis, that involve profiling and behavioral analysis...

This is a direct result of the complete incompetency that is the TSA.

Not sure it will help while you have airports in USA like la guardia who do not segregate incoming passengers from outgoing passengers something not allowed in uk .

I see accounts in the media about TSA security considerations detecting weapons, but does any one know if there has been any proof that they have averted a hijack situation with the confiscations?

Last time I opted out, they made me stand right next the machine! to wait a looong time. ;-/

Actually it is at least 4 times faster than the old pat down which is stil available to people with medical implanted devices.

I don't care whether I get body-scanned, a full pat down, sniffed all over by a rather large dog or had a magic wand waved all over me. It's being done for my safety and those other souls who are on the same plane as me. If it stops anyone who is a member of " The Religion of Peace" or similar ilk from bringing weapons or explosives onto the aircraft, I'm all for it. Rather a few seconds of inconvenience than a 40,000 foot fall, strapped into a seat and no parachute in sight.

There is no question why personal aircraft, fractional operators, charters, and bizjets are increasing in droves.

Any captain that outsources their ultimate authority for the safe operation of their aircraft to the joke that is TSA is derelict of duty and I wouldn't fly for any operator that forced me to. When it comes to the safety of any aircraft, profiling is the only procedure proven to work effectively and should not be opposed by anyone that honestly desires safety.

Wow. You "personal freedom" guys don't get it, do you? When you purchase an airline ticket, you enter into a contract with a private entity, not the government. As a condition of that contract, the airline mandates that the TSA checks be performed (Even though the government has told them they have to do it) before you are allowed to use their service. You agree to those terms when you pay for your ticket. if you want to back out of the deal, you can. Just return the ticket.

You know the terms going in, and knowing those terms you complain about having to follow the rules. That's like kicking a field goal and then complaining that it's only worth 3 points. Don't like it? Score a touchdown or punt or go for it on 4th down.

Personally, I don't enjoy the hassles and the indignity. But you know what? I knew it was coming. If I wasn't willing to put up with it, I would have found a different way to travel. I have nothing to worry about from the TSA because I don't do bad things. I submit because I want to ride on an airplane. I could travel by car, bus, train, boat, whatever, and avoid the TSA if I thought the scans and searches were too invasive. I don't, because I don't.

And don't get me started on Jim Bob and his .45 Auto in a confined space full of tired, sweaty, irritable, drunk people. Jim Bob ties one on in coach and the next thing you know we're headed for an emergency landing at KBFE because the idiot shot out a window.

9/11 was certainly not perpretated by any jews!